Jill Sobule; from Rolling Stone to Shemspeed

We heart Jill Sobule very much, so much so that we have her recording with one of our Shemspeed artists this monday in NYC. We figured before we let you in on all of that, we would interview her so you could learn a bit about how incredible she is.

Q. We have been seeing stories and write ups about you and your new album everywhere from Rolling Stone to People magazine. We love your music and are really happy for you. Did your previous albums get as much attention?

A. Well, the last two didn’t get as much. They were lost with the other million of releases at the time. The new one got noticed at first in a very different way -from the bottom up. I first sent out a notice to my fans that were already on my news letter about donating and participating on my next record which would be fan -funded. Somehow some one from the AP wrote a piece on it -now remember this was before even a lick of music had been recorded -and commented that this could be a new model for the industry. So, when it finally dropped, I already had the publicity in place.

Q. Your previous indie labels folded and then you were able to raise the money to produce and promote the record yourself, correct? How did you go about this and how did you promote it by yourself ot the point that these major publications took interest?

A. I set up a website called Jillsnextrecord.com where people could donate for various “gifts and services”. For example, at $10 you get a digital copy, at $50 you got a thank you on the liner notes. My favorite was at $500, I sing your name in a song. I had really no idea how successful the donor drive would be. For all I know, it could have just been my mom and her Mah Jong pals. But, to my surprise, I reached my goal in 2 months. When that happened , again people took notice. I will say, however, that I did hire a publicist for the first couple of months before the release.

Q. Did your previous records get as much attention from the mainstream?

A. Well, my second self-titled record got a ton of press for the first single: “I Kissed a Girl” -the first and …real one. I’m biased.


Q. How would you say this record differs musically from your past work?

A. Well, with this one I hired my friend Don Was. We had the idea of going old school and pretty much recording the tracks and vocals live with not much trickery and overdubs. My rough tracking vocals are what you get. There was no click track and auto-tuning (not that I know of). Also, Don mixed the vocals so upfront. He really wanted the story, the lyrics, to dominate. At times, it makes me blush at how exposed I am.

Q. Did you or Katty Perry really write about kissing a girl first?

A. Me!! Mine was written at such a different time -way before it was a staple on Showtime or Rachel Maddow. Mine was banned in the bible belt. Also, i think mine had a different mindset. I think I was trying to voice and empower one’s sexuality where as her may be more of a mild “girls gone wild”. But like I said, I’m biased, and certainly not as rich as Katy.

Q. You are connected to Michael Dorf and his Jewish festivals, but unlike a lot of artists in that scene your music is more popular outside of that world. how do you find yourself in the middle of it all? Do you view your music as Jewish or more yourself as Jewish and the music as just music?

A. I would not say my music is Jewish -as one would say they do Christian rock. However, I think the Jew in me is so obvious in my lyrics and take on things. I love playing the Michael Dorf events. I feel connected. I recently moved to LA and have not found the scene here.

Q. Anything else you wanna throw down meanwhile?
A. Just that I’m thinking of what to do next, musically. Like I said my new record is way old school -in that early 1970s California style. Maybe this time I want to do a completely inorganic dance or electronica project or..who knows. Maybe, “Jew Rock”. But something different.

Q. Anymore Dead Prez like collabo’s coming?

A. Well, I’m game. I’m ready to put down the acoustic guitar, for sure.

you could pick up Jill’s albums at Jillsobule.com

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